http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/rebecca-tyrrel/?service=Rss http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/rebecca-tyrrel/rebecca-tyrrel-days-like-those-872710.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/rebecca-tyrrel/rebecca-tyrrel-days-like-those-872710.html <p>Matthew was four hours late arriving for his first "official" visit to our Dorset cottage and the result of this delay was a dramatic, barely tolerable heightening of suspense. The cause of his lateness was a frozen computer; he had to start a piece of work (finish an internet poker game) all over again and this cost him three hours. Then, having reached the M3, he had to turn round, drive all the way back to Shepherd's Bush and pick up the carton of live locusts he had forgotten; food for Louis's pet gecko.</p> Rebecca Tyrrel Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/rebecca-tyrrel/rebecca-tyrrel-days-like-those-866761.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/rebecca-tyrrel/rebecca-tyrrel-days-like-those-866761.html <p>This week it will be two months since we took over the tenancy of our Dorset cottage, and in that time Matthew has become to the people in this village what Maris Crane is in Frasier, what 'Er Indoors is in Minder and what Rebecca is to fans of Daphne du Maurier: he has been spoken of but never seen. People clearly suspect that I am in fact a single mother who for misplaced reasons of pride has invented a husband.</p> Rebecca Tyrrel Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/rebecca-tyrrel/rebecca-tyrrel-days-like-those-861142.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/rebecca-tyrrel/rebecca-tyrrel-days-like-those-861142.html <p>I am used to coming home and finding Matthew in strange states and stances, so arriving back from my book club recently to find him apparently catatonic with bewilderment was not altogether troubling. He was in his usual chair in front of the telly, which was showing a mixed doubles match from Wimbledon. But even the presence of an impossibly long-legged Slavic girl wasn't grabbing his attention, because he was transfixed by the small plastic tub of marinated anchovies he was holding up in front of his face. "Zog mir", he was muttering to himself. "I mean zog mir... nothing more than zog mir."</p> Rebecca Tyrrel Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/rebecca-tyrrel/rebecca-tyrrel-days-like-those-856797.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/rebecca-tyrrel/rebecca-tyrrel-days-like-those-856797.html <p>It is a shameful thing to confess, but until recently a form of apartheid had been operating in this house. Matthew did, I know, feel terrible about it. He was racked with self-disgust. "I know, I know, and am racked with self-disgust," he said, "especially with Mandela in town. But I just can't help it."</p> Rebecca Tyrrel Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/rebecca-tyrrel/rebecca-tyrrel-days-like-those-852268.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/columnists/rebecca-tyrrel/rebecca-tyrrel-days-like-those-852268.html <p>Two days I'd been away, sorting out what Matthew refers to as "the very barest of essentials" (Sky dish with complete package) for our Dorset cottage. I returned to what I often return to. Matthew with his head in hands, psychotically, slowly, rocking to and fro. The speed of the rocking was a tiny bit slower than I was used to, but you'd have to have been married to a person for 17 years to have noticed the difference. I put it down to pangs. Matthew has just given up smoking, drinking and eating.</p> Rebecca Tyrrel Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:00:01 +0100